Wicker Questions Boehner’s Leadership

Phillip M. Bailey — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:07:13 +0000

Republican congressional candidate Brooks Wicker won’t commit to keeping current House Speaker John Boehner in the position if he defeats Democratic incumbent John Yarmuth this fall.

Since taking control of Congress, the GOP caucus has had some internal infighting and conservative activists have been critical of Speaker John Boehner, who has clashed with Tea Party lawmakers over the debt ceiling and other negotiations.

Some national conservative groups have publicly called for Boehner's ouster as House leader.

Wicker says he won’t commit to voting for Boehner or not, and hopes other lawmakers will be vying for the position.

"I have questions about some of the issues and positions that have been taken. I would prefer to have an open election for the seat," he told 84 WHAS radio show host Mandy Connell. "Hopefully there will be other people who will contest him for that leadership position and we’ll be able to have a true election for the leader."